Manchester United’s employment of Casemiro continues to pay off.
The Brazilian midfielder has become an exciting goalscoring option on set-pieces in his time as a Red, and showcased his abilities for the second game in a row with a near-post header to open the scoring against Aston Vill at Old Trafford on Sunday. It was the first of three goals in front of the Stretford End as interim boss Michael Carrick saw the team continue their excellent home form against a Top 4 rival.
Casemiro in particular
has been a big factor in United’s late-season improvement, and it has raised questions about the decision to let his contract expire in the summer.
“I think it’s when something’s decided and in some ways the fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation really,” Carrick said after the match. “I think the impact he’s had has been terrific, certainly since I’ve been here and working with him and his influence within the team and big moments and goals.”
Casemiro is loved by fans and teammates alike, but his departure follows a trend of the club in recent years of trying to reset the wage structure. United have tried to move off of their highest earners since INEOS took control of the footballing side of things, and even Bruno Fernandes has had some uncertainty about his future despite remaining a driving force in the squad.
“Everyone wanted him to stay, he’s a player [who is] really important for us,” defender Leny Yoro said. “Even in the dressing room, every day, he has the experience that no one else has in the team. He won everything, so this helped us a lot in the games and even outside the pitch.”
Brazil teammate Matheus Cunha made a similar plea for Casemiro to stay on as a Red.
“I’m always asking him, ‘Come on, stay at Manchester United. Just one year with me, no! Let’s go for the second little year,” Cunha told TNT Sports after the match. “We’re very close, he’s always helping me, and it’s incredibly rewarding to play with him here and with the national team. I always learn from him and understand more and more how he won so many titles. He’s reached a stage where he can decide where to play, and I hope it’s with us.”
Despite the pleas from players and chants of “One more year” from the Stretford end, Rich Fay reported on Monday that the club doesn’t plan on reversing the decision to let the deal expire. A one-year add-on will not be triggered and there will be no negotiation for a new contract.
